Posts falsely suggest breastmilk protects babies against measles as well as vaccine

Plus, reactions to the health secretary’s claims about the U.S. measles response, while rising rotavirus cases spark conspiracy theories.

Debates about routine childhood vaccines persisted online as vaccine-preventable diseases surge in the U.S. and globally. The health secretary downplayed the severity of the U.S. measles outbreaks, fueling misleading claims about measles and the MMR vaccine. Some online users promoted breastmilk as an alternative to vaccination, claiming that antibodies from a mother’s previous infection will protect infants as well as the vaccine. Others spread misleading claims about the risk of rotavirus infection and the safety of the rotavirus vaccine as cases rise.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversations

Social media users had mixed responses to a recent news article describing how infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine are “sitting ducks” during measles outbreaks. Some emphasized the importance of vaccination and herd immunity to protect vulnerable infants. Others falsely claimed that vaccines are unnecessary because antibodies from a measles infection are passed through breastmilk and provide sufficient protection. Several posts advocated for exposing unvaccinated children to measles to gain immunity.

In an April 17 congressional hearing, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. distanced himself from previous anti-vaccine statements and claimed that, under his leadership, the U.S. has handled measles outbreaks better than countries such as Mexico and Canada. The Department of Health and Human Services made a similar claim on social media the day before the hearing. Some health care providers blamed the drop in childhood vaccination rates and rise in preventable disease outbreaks on the anti-vaccine rhetoric of high-profile figures like Kennedy, who has in the past falsely claimed that the MMR vaccine is dangerous. Other social media users falsely claimed that the vaccine is ineffective and suggested, without evidence, that immigrant populations are responsible for the current measles outbreaks.

Health care providers are sounding the alarm about a surge in rotavirus infections since the beginning of the year, which they warn is due to declining vaccination rates. The virus poses the greatest danger to unvaccinated infants and young children, who are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Although many online responded to the news by sharing information about rotavirus, how to prevent it, and why vaccination is important, others were more skeptical. Several posts claimed that reports about rotavirus are exaggerated and downplayed its potential severity. Others falsely blamed the rise in cases on rotavirus vaccine shedding infecting children. In January, the CDC stopped recommending the rotavirus vaccine for all infants.

Read the fact checks: 

• AP News: FACT FOCUS: RFK Jr. says the US is limiting measles outbreaks better than the rest of the world 
• FactCheck.org: RFK Jr. Misleads About Measles Vaccine in Hannity Interview
• HealthyChildren.org: Rotavirus in Children: Symptoms, Treatment & Why the Vaccine Matters

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Recommendations for public health professionals

The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Use these helpful tips when creating content, updating web pages and FAQs, and developing strategy for messaging about vaccines.

As parents of infants face measles outbreaks, they may be confused about the best way to protect their child. Debunking messaging may explain that antibodies from a measles infection do pass through breastmilk, but not at high enough levels to protect babies from a measles infection. Health communicators may explain that exposing unvaccinated children to measles to gain “natural immunity” puts them at risk of serious complications—including long-term damage to their immune system—and death. Emphasizing that the MMR vaccine is safe, provides lifelong protection, and is the best way to prevent measles is recommended, as is highlighting that infants too young to be vaccinated rely on herd immunity to protect them from dangerous diseases like measles.

Given conversation about the cause of recent measles outbreaks, communicators may explain that measles outbreaks in the U.S. and globally are the result of declining vaccination rates, which are far below herd immunity levels in some states. Messaging may highlight the risks of a measles infection, the proven safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, and the importance of vaccination to protect individuals and communities. Additional messaging may emphasize that there is no evidence supporting the myth that immigrant populations are the cause of ongoing U.S. measles outbreaks.

Rising cases of rotavirus may prompt questions about the disease and how to prevent it. Health communicators may explain that rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and is transmitted through contact with food or surfaces contaminated with feces. Messaging may note that infants and young children are at particularly high risk from the virus, which can result in severe illness, dehydration, and hospitalization. Emphasizing that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies receive the oral rotavirus vaccine series is recommended, as is noting that the vaccine is very safe and around 95 percent effective against hospitalization. Finally, messaging may also explain that the weakened virus in the rotavirus vaccine poses virtually no risk to healthy children, although immunocompromised individuals may be at risk if they come in contact with the feces of a vaccinated person within two weeks of vaccination.